Carlisle teen pleads not guilty to murder charge after remains of infant found

by LARRY DAVIS, WKRC

Judge sets bond at $50k, house arrest for 18-year-old facing aggravated murder and other charges for the death of her newborn baby (WKRC)

WARREN COUNTY, Ohio (WKRC) - A Carlisle teen faced a judge in Warren County for a second time, this time she's charged with much more serious crimes. Brooke "Skylar" Richardson is charged with aggravated murder, involuntary manslaughter, endangering children, abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence.

Richardson was originally charged with reckless homicide. A grand jury indicted her on the more serious charges on Friday. Richardson's attorney pleaded not guilty on her behalf.

Prosecutor David Fornshell asked the court for a million dollar bond. A judge set the bond at $50,000 and placed her under house arrest. The family handed over their passports, as an assurance to the judge.

Investigators say Richardson gave birth to a child in early May at her family's home. She's accused of causing the baby's death, burning its body and burying it behind the family's home. On Aug. 10, Fornshell said testing revealed the baby was a girl.

Warren County Prosecutor David Fornshell spoke about the charges as well as a possible motive on Friday. "Skylar and her family, particularly her mother, were pretty obsessed with external appearances and how things appeared to the outside world and you have a situation where she's a cute, recent graduate. She was a cheerleader, a described 'good girl' by her attorney."